Office Gossip

Some people regard office gossip as workplace violence. That may seem drastic, but it does have the ability to destroy lives, and it can do so in a variety of treacherous ways. Companies certainly don’t like the gossip and employee manuals typically go to great lengths to make this clear; it breeds distrust and contempt amongst coworkers, while lowering morale and productivity.

In all but a very few instances, you’re safest, and your professional life is most secure, by remaining above the chatter. Let's take a look at how the law tries to draw a line between harmless chatter and harmful accusation, how you can keep clear from getting caught up in office gossip and not become its victim, and finally how you can actually use office gossip to your advantage.

Chatter, gossip or defamation of character?

In an office setting, it can be difficult to know when idle office gossip crosses the line and becomes something far more serious, like defamation of character. In this instance the United States Codes have a definition: In short, defamation is false information which "injures" another person, and it considers three types:

You were aware that the information was untrue.

You had reason to believe that the information could be untrue, yet you did not bother to thoroughly check.

The information was of such a broad, generalized nature that it simply could not be true.

Thus, unless you know it to be true and can prove it if necessary, don’t succumb to the allure of office gossip.

Steer clear

Almost without exception, the smartest decision is to avoid office gossip altogether, but this is easier said than done, especially when casual break-room conversations cross the line without you being entirely aware. Train yourself to recognize key words and topics; ones that have the potential to harm someone. These include:

Criminal behavior. This may refer to activities outside of the office, professional malpractice or rumors of someone earning a promotion through sex or bribery.

Alcoholism or drug addiction.

Infidelity; in marriage or a relationship.

Anything the general public would regard as reprehensible (racism, sexual deviance).